Snow plow

ABSTRACT

A snow plow, including a left vertical surface, a right vertical surface, a cross assembly attached to the right vertical surface and to the left vertical surface, and a handle attached to the cross assembly, wherein the left vertical surface is attached to the right vertical surface at the right end of the left vertical surface and the left end of the right vertical surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to snow plows.

BACKGROUND

Shoveling snow after a heavy snow is exceedingly strenuous physicalactivity that often causes back pain or heart attacks. Snow blowers andsnow plows are less stressful on the human body, but are expensive,noisy, environmentally undesirable, and often unable to reach all areasthat must be shoveled. A less expensive, low-stress, mechanical solutionto snow removal is therefore desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A snow plow, including a left vertical surface, a right verticalsurface, a cross assembly attached to the right vertical surface and tothe left vertical surface, and a handle attached to the cross assembly,wherein the left vertical surface is attached to the right verticalsurface at the right end of the left vertical surface and the left endof the right vertical surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of a first embodiment of the present invention in usein a partially closed position.

FIG. 3 is a view of a first embodiment of the present invention in usein an open position.

FIG. 4 is a view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following definitions are provided to aid in construing the claimsof the present application:

Ice Breaker: For the purposes of the present application, a protrusion,such as a stud, that can serve to break up hardened snow or ice.

Sled: For the purposes of the present application, a horizontal surfaceparallel to the ground on which another component of the snow plow canrest or to which another component of the snow plow can be attached. TheSled allows the snow plow glide over a variety of ground surfaces.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in a first preferred embodiment, a firstembodiment of snow plow 100 is illustrated. Snow plow 100 includes leftvertical surface 110 and right vertical surface 120. Right verticalsurface 120 and left vertical surface 110 form the surface of the plowand can be manufactured (as can all of the other components of snow plow100) from wood, metal, plastic, or any other material of sufficientstrength to form a snow plow; however, for considerations of strength,weight, and durability, aluminum or a suitable plastic are desirable inmany embodiments. Right vertical surface 120 and left vertical surface110 are attached together at point 112 in such a manner that the anglebetween left vertical surface 110 and right vertical surface 120 can bevaried, in some embodiments from zero degrees to one hundred eightydegrees. Such attachment can be accomplished through the use of a hingeor other means.

Cross assembly 140 is attached to left vertical surface 110 and rightvertical surface 120; in some embodiments it is also attached to handle130. In a first embodiment, cross assembly 140 includes left bar 142 andright bar 144. The left end of left bar 142 is attached to left verticalsurface 110 and the right end of right bar is attached to right verticalsurface 120. Handle 130 includes a series of notches along at a portionof its length in this first embodiment. Both left bar 142 and right bar144 can be attached to handle 130 by inserting their free ends intonotches (ordinarily the same notch) along handle 130. If a notch furtherforward towards the front of the plow is selected, the plow “opens up”and a broader plowing surface is exposed. If a notch further away fromthe front of the plow (or towards the handle end of the plow) isselected, the plow “closes up” and a narrower plowing surface isexposed. If no notch is attached at all, the plow can be folded flat byclosing left vertical surface 110 and right vertical surface 120together. Handle 130 is removably attached to left vertical surface 110and right vertical surface 120 at point 112. In other embodiments,handle 130 is attached only to cross assembly 140; however, attachinghandle 130 to point 112 as well provides additional stability to thesnow plow.

In another embodiment, cross assembly 140 is not attached to handle 130.Cross assembly 140 includes left bar 142 and right bar 144. The left endof left bar 142 is attached to left vertical surface 110 and the rightend of right bar is attached to right vertical surface 120. Each of leftbar 142 and right bar 144 have multiple notches along at least a portionof their lengths (or one bar has notches and one has pegs, etc.). Thefree ends of left bar 142 and right bar 144 can be attached by insertingthe notches of the left bar 142 and right bar 144 into each other. Thewidth of the plow can be adjusted by selecting notches towards or awayfrom the free ends of left bar 142 and right bar 144 for insertion.

Handle 130 optionally includes adjustable extension 132. Adjustableextension 132 is a retractable, telescoping, or snap-out extension ofhandle 132 that allows taller users of snow plow 100 to use the plowcomfortably. In some embodiments, more than two positions (e.g., handlein, handle half-in, and handle out) can be provided; in otherembodiments, an infinite number of positions can be provided (e.g.,smoothly sliding handle extension that can be locked at desiredposition). In some embodiments, a button can be provided for automatichandle extension.

Sleds 150A and 150B are attached to the undersides of left verticalsurface 110 and right vertical surface 120 respectively. Sleds 150A and150B do not necessarily extend beneath the entire snow plow, but in afirst preferred embodiment, Sleds 150A and 150B extend beneathsubstantially all of the snow plow. Sleds 150A and 150B allow the snowplow to glide smoothly over concrete, asphalt, grass, pebbles, ice, andother surfaces.

Optionally, one or more Ice Breakers are attached to the front of eachof left vertical surface 110 and right vertical surface 120. The IceBreakers can aid in breaking up hardened snow and ice in some cases.

Snow plow 100 is used (in a heavy snow fall) by opening up the plow to arelatively narrow setting. The plow can be pushed easily through thesnow, clearing a narrow path (see FIG. 2). If any obstructions areencountered, the plow glides over them. In some cases, more than onepass can be necessary to clear hardened snow. After a narrow path hasbeen cleared, the plow can be adjusted to a wider setting. The user thenuses the plow on the wider setting on a path encompassing both thenarrow cleared path and an additional small path of uncleared snow (seeFIG. 3). The user can progress to the widest setting and then continueto plow paths consisting only partly of uncleared snow so as to reducethe level of difficulty involved in using the plow. After plowing iscomplete, the handle can be removed and the plow folded for easystorage.

Referring to FIG. 4, a second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated. Snow plow 200 includes left vertical surface210 and right vertical surface 220. Right vertical surface 220 and leftvertical surface 210 form the surface of the plow and can bemanufactured (as can all of the other components of snow plow 200) fromwood, metal, plastic, or any other material of sufficient strength toform a snow plow; however, for considerations of strength, weight, anddurability, aluminum or a suitable plastic are desirable in manyembodiments. Right vertical surface 220 and left vertical surface 210are attached together at point 212 in such a manner that the anglebetween left vertical surface 210 and right vertical surface 220 can bevaried, in some embodiments from zero degrees to one hundred eightydegrees. Such attachment can be accomplished through the use of a hingeor other means.

Cross assembly 240 is attached to left vertical surface 210 and rightvertical surface 220; in some embodiments it is also attached to handle230. In a second preferred embodiment, cross assembly 240 includes atleast one set of springs 242. Springs 242 ordinarily cause snow plow 200to assume an “open” position exposing a broad plowing surface; however,the heavier the snow that snow plow 200 encounters, the greater theforce that such snow exerts on springs 242 and the more that springs 242contract, causing snow plow 200 to “close” and a narrower plowingsurface to be exposed, thereby easing the plowing task. Springs 242should be appropriately selected such that they exert a force sufficientto keep snow plow 200 almost completely open in very light snow and openat least a minimum useful angle in even the heaviest snow. In a secondpreferred embodiment, the minimum useful angle is defined as forty-fivedegrees. Springs 242 should further be either durable or easilyreplaceable. Handle 230 is removably attached to left vertical surface210 and right vertical surface 220 at points 214 and 216 respectively.Plow 200 can be folded by folding left vertical surface 210 to rightvertical surface 220 (forcibly compressing springs 242) and securingleft vertical surface 210 to right vertical surface 220 with a strap orother device.

Handle 230 optionally includes adjustable extension 232. Adjustableextension 232 is a retractable, telescoping, or snap-out extension ofhandle 232 that allows taller users of snow plow 200 to use the plowcomfortably. In some embodiments, more than two positions (e.g., handlein, handle half-in, and handle out) can be provided; in otherembodiments, an infinite number of positions can be provided (e.g.,smoothly sliding handle extension that can be locked at desiredposition). In some embodiments, a button can be provided for automatichandle extension.

Sleds 250A and 250B are attached to the undersides of left verticalsurface 210 and right vertical surface 220 respectively. Sleds 250A and250B do not necessarily extend beneath the entire snow plow, but in afirst preferred embodiment, Sleds 250A and 250B extend beneathsubstantially all of the snow plow. Sleds 250A and 250B allow the snowplow to glide smoothly over concrete, asphalt, grass, pebbles, ice, andother surfaces.

Optionally, one or more Ice Breakers are attached to the front of eachof left vertical surface 210 and right vertical surface 220. The IceBreakers can aid in breaking up hardened snow and ice in some cases.

Snow plow 200 is used (in a heavy snow fall) by opening up the plow to arelatively narrow setting. The plow can be pushed easily through thesnow, clearing a narrow path. If any obstructions are encountered, theplow glides over them. In some cases, more than one pass can benecessary to clear hardened snow. After a narrow path has been cleared,the plow automatically adjusts itself to a wider setting. The user thenuses the plow on the wider setting on a path encompassing both thenarrow cleared path and an additional small path of uncleared snow. Theuser can then continue to plow paths consisting only partly of unclearedsnow so as to reduce the level of difficulty involved in using the plow.After plowing is complete, the handle can be removed and the plow foldedfor easy storage.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention.Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of theinvention.

1. A snow plow, comprising: a left vertical surface; a right verticalsurface; a cross assembly attached to said right vertical surface and tosaid left vertical surface; and a handle attached to said crossassembly, wherein said left vertical surface is attached to said rightvertical surface at the right end of said left vertical surface and theleft end of said right vertical surface.
 2. The snow plow of claim 1,wherein the angle between said left vertical surface and said rightvertical surface is adjustable.
 3. The snow plow of claim 2, wherein theangle between said left vertical surface and said right vertical surfaceis adjustable by adjusting said cross assembly.
 4. The snow plow ofclaim 1, wherein the width of said snow plow can be adjusted.
 5. Thesnow plow of claim 1, further comprising: a first Sled attached to saidright vertical surface and extending below at least a portion of saidright vertical surface; and a second Sled attached to said left verticalsurface and extending below at least a portion of said left verticalsurface.
 6. The snow plow of claim 1, further comprising: at least oneIce Breaker attached to said right vertical surface; and at least oneIce Breaker attached to said left vertical surface.
 7. The snow plow ofclaim 1, wherein said handle is removable.
 8. The snow plow of claim 1,wherein said right vertical surface, said cross assembly, and said leftvertical surface, can be folded together when not in use.
 9. The snowplow of claim 1, wherein said cross assembly is composed of one or moreinflexible cross pieces.
 10. The snow plow of claim 9, wherein said oneor more inflexible cross pieces are comprised of at least two metalbars; wherein said at least two metal bars includes a right bar attachedto said right vertical surface at one end of said right bar and having aplurality of notches at the other end of said right bar; wherein said atleast two metal bars includes a left bar attached to said left verticalsurface at one end of said left bar and having a plurality of notches atthe other end of said left bar; wherein cross assembly can be adjustedby inserting a notch of said right bar into a notch of said left bar tofix the cross assembly at the chosen width.
 11. The snow plow of claim9, wherein said one or more inflexible cross pieces are comprised of atleast two metal bars; wherein said at least two metal bars includes aright bar attached to said right vertical surface at one end of saidright bar; wherein said at least two metal bars includes a left barattached to said left vertical surface at one end of said left bar;wherein said handle comprises a plurality of notches along at least aportion of its length; and wherein cross assembly can be adjusted byinserting the free ends of said right bar and said left bar into notcheson said handle to fix the cross assembly at the chosen width.
 12. Thesnow plow of claim 1, wherein said cross assembly is composed of one ormore flexible cross pieces.
 13. The snow plow of claim 12, wherein saidcross assembly is composed of one or more springs.
 14. The snow plow ofclaim 12, wherein said cross assembly is self-adjusting.
 15. The snowplow of claim 1, wherein the length of said handle is adjustable.